ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 27, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Terry, Chief of Police
DATE: July 11, 2025
SUBJECT: Amendment 2 to Agreement No. 2024-070 with Serological Research Institute. ($40,000, revised not to exceed $140,000; and extend the term date to June 30, 2026) to continue DNA services.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the amendment.
BACKGROUND:
The City has historically relied on the Kern Regional Crime Lab (KRCL) for DNA testing services. Due to KRCL’s limitations, specifically its restrictive range of DNA testing options and its inabi lity to expedite testing results when needed for urgent investigations, the City sought an alternative provider.
Serological Research Institute was selected for its capacity to deliver essential services, including expedited turnaround times and expert testimony for cases requiring additional forensic analysis.
On January 3, 2024, the City entered into Agreement No. PD24-002 with Serological Research Institute for forensic evidence collection and examination services related to ongoing cases with the Bakersfield Police Department with a total compensation of $40,000, and a term date of January 3, 2025.
On March 13, 2024, the city amended Agreement No. PD24-002 and entered into Agreement No. 2024 - 070 increasing the total compensation by $60,000, for a new not to exceed amount of $100,000.
On December 18, 2024, the City amended Agreement No. 2024 -070 extending the term date to January 3, 2026.
Given the ongoing success of Serological Research Institute’s DNA testing services, including significant improvements in turnaround times and case closure rates, the City now seeks to increase compensation by $40,000 for a new not to exceed total of $140,000 and extend the term date of the agreement to June 30, 2026, to continue DNA testing services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this agreement is within the Police Departments FY 2025-26 budget.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
ATTACHMENT:
Signed Agreement